Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW) Lowered to "Hold" Rating by StockNews.com

Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW - Get Free Report) was downgraded by equities research analysts at StockNews.com from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday.

Other analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Northland Securities boosted their target price on Build-A-Bear Workshop from $38.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, December 6th. DA Davidson boosted their target price on Build-A-Bear Workshop from $40.00 to $50.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, December 6th.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Price Performance

BBW stock traded up $1.19 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $42.54. 510,789 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 237,699. The company has a market capitalization of $574.99 million, a P/E ratio of 10.99 and a beta of 1.54. Build-A-Bear Workshop has a 52-week low of $21.24 and a 52-week high of $47.01. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $37.48 and a 200-day moving average price of $31.25.

Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, December 5th. The specialty retailer reported $0.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.70 by $0.03. Build-A-Bear Workshop had a return on equity of 38.40% and a net margin of 10.58%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.53 earnings per share. As a group, analysts forecast that Build-A-Bear Workshop will post 3.72 EPS for the current year.

Build-A-Bear Workshop declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share repurchase plan on Wednesday, September 11th that allows the company to buyback $100.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the specialty retailer to purchase up to 23.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are typically an indication that the company's board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Activity

In other Build-A-Bear Workshop news, CEO Sharon Price John sold 48,325 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.19, for a total transaction of $1,700,556.75. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 416,679 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,662,934.01. This trade represents a 10.39 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CFO Vojin Todorovic sold 12,635 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.42, for a total transaction of $447,531.70. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 90,695 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,212,416.90. The trade was a 12.23 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 92,281 shares of company stock valued at $3,311,358 over the last ninety days. 7.90% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Build-A-Bear Workshop

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Fortitude Family Office LLC increased its position in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 705.8% in the third quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 1,104 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 967 shares during the last quarter. Quarry LP increased its position in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 346.6% in the third quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,295 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 1,005 shares during the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC increased its position in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 211.8% in the second quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 4,889 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $124,000 after purchasing an additional 3,321 shares during the last quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC increased its position in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 17.6% in the third quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 5,812 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $201,000 after purchasing an additional 871 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Quest Partners LLC increased its position in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 209.8% in the second quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 8,098 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $205,000 after purchasing an additional 5,484 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 79.30% of the company's stock.

About Build-A-Bear Workshop

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc operates as a multi-channel retailer of plush animals and related products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Direct-to-Consumer, Commercial, and International Franchising. Its merchandise comprises various styles of plush products to be stuffed, pre-stuffed plush products, and sounds and scents that can be added to the stuffed animals, as well as range of clothing, shoes and accessories, and other toy and novelty items, including family sleepwear.